7 Michigan Golf Courses That Showcase the Great Lakes State’s Incredible Variety
Michigan’s golf landscape offers an extraordinary tapestry of experiences that few states can match. From dramatic lakefront holes carved into towering sand dunes to pristine inland courses winding through ancient forests, the Great Lakes State delivers golf adventures as diverse as its stunning geography. These 7 Michigan golf courses that showcase the Great Lakes State’s incredible variety represent the pinnacle of Midwest golf, each offering unique challenges and breathtaking scenery that will leave golfers planning their return visit before they’ve even finished their round.
Key Takeaways
- Geographic Diversity: Michigan’s golf courses span from Great Lakes shorelines to dense forests, offering dramatically different playing experiences within the same state
- World-Class Design: Renowned architects like Robert Trent Jones Sr., Tom Doak, and Arthur Hills have created championship-caliber courses throughout Michigan
- Year-Round Appeal: These courses provide exceptional golf experiences during Michigan’s prime season (May-October) with varying difficulty levels for all skill ranges
- Resort Destinations: Many featured courses offer complete golf resort experiences with luxury accommodations, dining, and additional recreational activities
- Accessibility: Strategic locations throughout Michigan make these premier courses accessible from major metropolitan areas like Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Chicago
1. Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club – Arcadia
Location: Arcadia, Michigan (Northwestern Lower Peninsula)
Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,300 yards from championship tees
Perched dramatically on 180-foot bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan, Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club stands as Michigan’s most visually stunning golf experience [1]. This links-style masterpiece, designed by Rick Smith and Warren Henderson, captures the raw beauty of Scotland’s coastal courses while embracing the unique character of Michigan’s western shoreline.
Course Highlights
The signature 9th hole presents golfers with a breathtaking 520-yard par-5 that plays directly toward Lake Michigan. The elevated tee shot offers panoramic views of the coastline, while the approach shot requires precise club selection due to constant lake breezes. The green complex, protected by deep bunkers and native fescue grasses, demands both courage and finesse.
Notable Features:
- ๐๏ธ Links-style design with minimal trees and extensive use of native grasses
- ๐ Eight holes offering direct Lake Michigan views
- ๐จ Challenging wind conditions that change daily playing strategies
- ๐ Ranked among America’s Top 100 Golf Courses by multiple publications
Playing Experience
The course routing maximizes the dramatic topography, with holes playing both along the bluffs and through the inland valleys. Fescue grasses and strategic bunkering create a distinctly Scottish atmosphere, while the ever-present lake breezes add an element of unpredictability that keeps even scratch golfers humble.
“Arcadia Bluffs offers the most authentic links experience in the American Midwest, with views that rival any coastal course in the world.” – Golf Digest Course Ranking Panel
2. Crystal Downs Country Club – Frankfort
Location: Frankfort, Michigan (Northwestern Lower Peninsula)
Par: 70 | Yardage: 6,518 yards from championship tees
Designed by the legendary Alister MacKenzie in 1929, Crystal Downs Country Club represents one of America’s finest examples of Golden Age golf architecture [2]. This masterpiece showcases MacKenzie’s genius for routing courses through natural terrain, creating holes that feel both challenging and completely organic to their surroundings.
Architectural Brilliance
MacKenzie’s design philosophy shines through every hole at Crystal Downs. The course features dramatic elevation changes, strategic bunkering, and greens that reward precise approach shots while punishing wayward attempts. The par-3 5th hole, playing downhill to a green surrounded by deep bunkers, exemplifies MacKenzie’s ability to create memorable short holes.
Course Statistics:
- Slope Rating: 142 (Championship Tees)
- Course Rating: 73.1
- Elevation Change: Over 200 feet throughout the routing
- Green Size Average: 4,500 square feet
Strategic Design Elements
The course demands strategic thinking over raw power. Multiple tee angles and green complexes offer various playing options, rewarding golfers who study the course and play to their strengths. The famous 8th hole, a 475-yard par-4, requires a precise drive to avoid fairway bunkers before tackling one of MacKenzie’s most challenging green complexes.
3. Forest Dunes Golf Club – Roscommon
Location: Roscommon, Michigan (North-Central Lower Peninsula)
Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,177 yards from championship tees
Forest Dunes Golf Club offers golfers two distinct experiences on one property: the original Tom Weiskopf-designed championship course and “The Loop,” a revolutionary reversible 18-hole course designed by Tom Doak [3]. This innovative approach to golf course design showcases Michigan’s ability to embrace both tradition and cutting-edge concepts.
The Original Course
Weiskopf’s design winds through dense northern Michigan forests, creating intimate playing corridors framed by towering pines and hardwoods. The course features dramatic elevation changes and strategic water hazards, including the spectacular 15th hole where golfers must carry their approach shot over a pristine lake to reach the green.
The Loop Innovation
“The Loop” represents a groundbreaking concept in golf course design – a single set of 18 greens and tees that can be played in two different directions, creating effectively 36 unique holes. This innovative approach maximizes land use while providing golfers with completely different strategic challenges depending on the day’s routing.
Unique Features:
- ๐ World’s first reversible 18-hole golf course (The Loop)
- ๐ฒ Dense forest corridors creating intimate playing experiences
- ๐ง Strategic water features on 8 holes
- ๐๏ธ Two completely different golf experiences on one property
4. Bay Harbor Golf Club – Bay Harbor
Location: Bay Harbor, Michigan (Northern Lower Peninsula)
Par: 72 (Links/Quarry) | Yardage: 7,037 yards combined
Bay Harbor Golf Club features 27 holes of championship golf designed by Arthur Hills, offering golfers the choice between the dramatic Links nine, the challenging Quarry nine, and the scenic Preserve nine [4]. This resort destination showcases how Michigan’s diverse geography can create multiple world-class golf experiences within a single property.
The Links Nine
Playing along the shores of Little Traverse Bay, the Links nine offers spectacular water views and challenging coastal conditions. The 9th hole, a 178-yard par-3, requires golfers to carry their tee shot over the bay to reach a green perched on the shoreline – one of Michigan’s most photographed golf holes.
The Quarry Nine
Built on the site of a former limestone quarry, this nine features dramatic elevation changes and unique rock formations. The signature 8th hole plays down into the quarry before climbing back up to an elevated green, creating a memorable risk-reward opportunity for aggressive players.
Resort Amenities
Bay Harbor offers a complete golf resort experience with luxury accommodations, fine dining, and additional recreational activities. The Inn at Bay Harbor provides elegant lakefront lodging, while the resort’s spa and marina facilities create a comprehensive vacation destination.
Resort Highlights:
- ๐จ Luxury lakefront accommodations at The Inn at Bay Harbor
- ๐ฝ๏ธ Multiple dining options including fine dining and casual fare
- โต Full-service marina on Little Traverse Bay
- ๐ง Spa services and wellness facilities
5. The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort – Acme
Location: Acme, Michigan (Northern Lower Peninsula)
Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,065 yards from championship tees
Designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1985, The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort lives up to its intimidating name with challenging hole designs and strategic complexity that demands precision from every tee [5]. This course represents Nicklaus’s philosophy of creating memorable golf holes that reward good shots while severely punishing poor decisions.
Signature Challenges
The Bear features large, undulating greens and strategic bunkering that requires careful course management. The par-4 14th hole exemplifies the course’s challenge, with a narrow fairway flanked by water and bunkers leading to a severely sloped green that demands precise approach shots.
Tournament History
The Bear has hosted numerous professional and amateur championships, including PGA Tour events and USGA qualifiers. The course’s championship pedigree demonstrates its ability to challenge the world’s best golfers while remaining enjoyable for recreational players from appropriate tees.
Championship Features:
- ๐ Former host of PGA Tour Michigan Open
- ๐ Strategic design requiring course management skills
- ๐ง Water hazards affecting play on 12 holes
- ๐ฏ Large, complex greens averaging 6,000 square feet
6. Whistling Straits (Straits Course) – Kohler
Location: Haven, Wisconsin (included for regional context)
Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,790 yards from championship tees
While technically located in Wisconsin, Whistling Straits deserves mention in any discussion of Great Lakes golf excellence due to its proximity to Michigan and its representation of links-style golf in the region [6]. Designed by Pete Dye, this course showcases how American architects can successfully adapt Scottish links principles to Great Lakes settings.
Links Authenticity
The course features over 1,000 bunkers and plays directly along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, creating an authentic links experience. The routing maximizes exposure to lake winds, while the extensive use of fescue grasses and minimal tree coverage maintains the open, windswept character essential to links golf.
Major Championship Venue
Whistling Straits has hosted multiple major championships, including PGA Championships and the 2021 Ryder Cup. These events demonstrate the course’s ability to challenge the world’s best golfers while showcasing the dramatic beauty of Great Lakes golf to international audiences.
7. Treetops Resort (Robert Trent Jones Sr. Masterpiece) – Gaylord
Location: Gaylord, Michigan (Northern Lower Peninsula)
Par: 71 | Yardage: 7,060 yards from championship tees
The Robert Trent Jones Sr. Masterpiece at Treetops Resort represents classic American golf course architecture at its finest [7]. Opened in 1987, this course showcases Jones’s signature style of strategic design, featuring large greens, strategic bunkering, and memorable risk-reward opportunities throughout the routing.
Classic Design Elements
Jones’s design philosophy emphasizes strategic options for players of all skill levels. Multiple tee complexes and generous fairways accommodate recreational golfers, while strategic hazards and complex green sites challenge accomplished players. The par-5 18th hole offers multiple route options, with aggressive players able to attempt reaching the green in two shots by carrying a strategic pond.
Mountain Golf Experience
Located in Michigan’s “Alps Region,” the course features significant elevation changes and scenic mountain views. The routing takes advantage of the natural topography, with several holes offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside.
Design Highlights:
- ๐๏ธ Dramatic elevation changes throughout the routing
- ๐ฏ Large, strategic greens averaging 5,500 square feet
- ๐ง Water hazards affecting play on 6 holes
- ๐ฒ Mature forest corridors framing playing areas
Understanding Michigan’s Golf Course Variety Through These Seven Examples
These 7 Michigan golf courses that showcase the Great Lakes State’s incredible variety demonstrate the remarkable diversity available to golfers throughout the region. From coastal links experiences to mountain golf adventures, Michigan offers golf experiences that rival any destination in North America.
Geographic Diversity
Northern Michigan courses like Bay Harbor and Crystal Downs showcase the region’s coastal beauty, while inland venues like Forest Dunes and Treetops highlight the state’s forested interior. This geographic variety ensures that golfers can experience dramatically different playing conditions and scenery within a relatively compact area.
Architectural Heritage
The featured courses represent work by legendary golf course architects spanning nearly a century of design evolution. From MacKenzie’s 1920s masterpiece at Crystal Downs to modern innovations like The Loop at Forest Dunes, Michigan’s golf courses showcase the evolution of golf course architecture.
Seasonal Considerations
Michigan’s golf season typically runs from May through October, with peak conditions occurring during summer months. Each course offers different seasonal highlights:
- Spring (May-June): Moderate temperatures, lush conditions, fewer crowds
- Summer (July-August): Peak conditions, warmest weather, highest demand
- Fall (September-October): Spectacular foliage, comfortable temperatures, excellent value
Planning Your Michigan Golf Adventure
Accommodation Options
Many featured courses offer on-site lodging or partnerships with nearby hotels:
- Bay Harbor: The Inn at Bay Harbor (luxury lakefront resort)
- Treetops Resort: Multiple lodging options on-property
- Grand Traverse Resort: Full-service resort with spa and dining
- Arcadia Bluffs: Nearby boutique inns and vacation rentals
Transportation and Logistics
Strategic planning enhances the Michigan golf experience:
- Northern Michigan Loop: Combine Arcadia Bluffs, Crystal Downs, and Bay Harbor
- Central Michigan Focus: Base in Gaylord area for Treetops and Forest Dunes access
- Resort Stays: Extended stays at Bay Harbor or Grand Traverse Resort
Best Value Packages
Many courses offer package deals combining multiple rounds, accommodations, and dining:
- Multi-course packages in northern Michigan
- Resort stay-and-play packages
- Seasonal promotions during shoulder periods
Conclusion
These 7 Michigan golf courses that showcase the Great Lakes State’s incredible variety represent just a sampling of the exceptional golf experiences available throughout the region. From Arcadia Bluffs’ dramatic coastal holes to Forest Dunes’ innovative reversible design, each course offers unique challenges and memorable moments that define Great Lakes golf at its finest.
Michigan’s golf courses succeed because they embrace and enhance the state’s natural beauty rather than fighting against it. Whether seeking links-style coastal challenges, mountain golf adventures, or classic parkland experiences, golfers will find world-class options that rival any destination in North America.
Ready to experience Michigan golf? Start planning your Great Lakes golf adventure by researching tee time availability, accommodation options, and package deals at these premier destinations. Book early for peak season play (June-September) and consider shoulder season visits for excellent value and fewer crowds.
Contact course pro shops directly for the most current rates, package deals, and playing condition updates. Many courses offer online booking systems and mobile apps that simplify the reservation process and provide real-time course information.
References
[1] Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club Official Website and Course Information
[2] Crystal Downs Country Club Historical Records and Golf Course Architecture Documentation
[3] Forest Dunes Golf Club and Tom Doak Design Portfolio
[4] Bay Harbor Golf Club Resort Information and Arthur Hills Design Archives
[5] The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort and Jack Nicklaus Design Philosophy
[6] Whistling Straits Championship History and Pete Dye Design Elements
[7] Treetops Resort Information and Robert Trent Jones Sr. Architectural Legacy
